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CRITICAL COMPUTER MAINTENANCE & GENERAL INFO
FIGHTING SPYWARE (which comes from the Internet) AND VIRUSES (which comes from email, downloads, or 3rd-party software) IS THE NUMBER #1 PROBLEM FOR HOME USERS, SPYWARE BEING THE WORSE!!! Basically, a virus is a program that harms your computer in some way. Spyware can do a couple diffrent things such as spying on where you surf - so it can show you advertising, steal your Internet bandwidth and computer resources, and can also open your computer to attack from other programs. We suggest you have at least 2 spyware cleaners on your computer at any one time and of course you should only have 1 Anti-Virus program at a time!
FREE SPYBOT SEARCH & DESTROY (spyware cleaner)
– “How To Get”
Downloading & Setup: Spybot Search & Destroy
Site: www.safer-networking.org
Go slow and just make sure you are downloading the FREE stuff and make sure you are on the RIGHT PAGE (Occasionally I have seen pages come up that look right, but you can tell by some of the words on the page (smut), that IT IS NOT!)
Spybot Search & Destroy (Cleans Spyware): Up near the top of the site there are 4 icons and download is one of them, single left mouse click it. Once the page comes up, scroll down to Download. The first one is Spybot Search & Destroy 1.6.0 (or newest version), hit Download here. When the page comes up, go to Hosted by Safer Networking , hit Download here. Save the program to your Desktop (you can choose another location if preferred). Once you get Spybot S & D downloaded, then you (open if necessary) complete set up and run! You will probably want desktop icons, but not necessarily quick launch icons (up to you), don't need foreign language or tea timer (tea timer requires a lot of hands on monitoring!). Let it run the registry backup, run the update downloads, check a second time for updates to make sure it got them all, immunize, and then run. See the next section for additional setup help. Check out our Guide section at www.isshosting.net for additional details.
SPYBOT SEARCH & DESTROY (spyware cleaner)
– “How To USE”
How to use Spybot S&D
Spybot S&D does not automaticly update or scan your computer.
For Updates, first, connect to the internet provider if you have dial-up. Then open Spybot S&D and DOWNLOAD UPDATES! You do not need to maintain an Internet connection to run the program, just to get updates!
RUN Weekly to Quarterly (depends on Internet useage and Sites visited!
Check out our Guide section at www.isshosting.net for additional details.
(IF YOU DON'T HAVE SPYBOT SEARCH & DESTROY, SEE INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE.) This program is updated and run Manually! It does not update or run on its own!! You must be connected to your Internet Provider to update the program. Update the program EVERY TIME you use it! Once the updates are done, I like to re-check for updates. The reason: sometimes you will find that a download item does not actually make it. Once you get a "there are no new updates", you may continue. Left mouse click on Search & Destroy, then left mouse click Check for Problems. It will now run the program. Once it is done, you will be able to left mouse click the Fix Selected Problems and then Immunize.
Anti-Virus Software (Protects against Viruses, which come form E-Mail, downloaded files or items installed from other user machines!) – It is important to understand that most purchasedAnti-Virus software is good for either 90 days (often on new computers) or 1 year. Once the subscription period has passed, the software continues to protect you against viruses of the past, but it will not continue to update its virus definitions, and therefore, will not protect you against any new viruses. Before new Anti-Virus software is installed from CDs, you should ALWAYS delete any old Anti-Virus programs (some programs take care of this, but others may not), even if you are using the same kind of product, because it can cause conflicts. SEE DELETING PROGRAMS.
URGENT! - If for any reason your computer has not had an internet/e-mail connection in over a week, do a LIVE UPDATE to your Anti-Virus Software before you download any mail to avoid getting swamped with viruses! Once your Anti-Virus software is updated and functioning properly, you can go ahead and request your mail.
FIREWALLS (Blocks access by a program to your computer or from your computer. When something tries to gain access or take action, you are notified and authorization is required!) Windows already has a firewall and you may or may not want additional firewall protection. If you have high-speed internet with a ROUTER, it may have a built in firewall. If you have high-speed internet, but only a modem, then you do not have a firewall. Some FREE Firewalls can be downloaded from the following sites: www.zonelabs.com (Zone Alarm), www.nonags.com, www.majorgeeks.com, and www.downloads.com
Running multiple versions of Firewalls, SPAM fighting software and Anti-Virus Software may cause confusion!
WINDOWS/MICROSOFT UPDATES – (THESE ARE FREE AND IMPORTANT!! It is always a good idea to back up important data before any kind of major changes (especially service packs) are updated). Make sure you are doing your Windows & Microsoft Updates! This helps to keep your computer healthy and helps fight virus entry through the Windows Operating System. (Most DSL & Cable users will get updates without even noticing! (For Dial-Up Customers) If your computer is updated enough, you will receive notices from Microsoft when there are Critical Updates. If you get a notice (these pop up when your computer is connected to your Internet Service Provider), there are two options: Remind Me Later or basically DON’T BOTHER ME! You should ALWAYS take the Remind Me Later option, until you are actually ready to do the update. You can also just go to WINDOWS UPDATES any time you want through your START button. If you cannot find it, you can always open an Internet connection and type www.microsoft.com. Scroll down on the left and you will find Windows Updates. Once you are into Microsoft and the Scan For Updates comes up (give it a minute), single left mouse click on it and wait for Microsoft to get up the updates that are specific to your computer. You should do ALL the Critical Updates! Single left mouse click the Review and Install. As you add more and more updates, you could have additional Critical Updates pop up after restarting your system, do those too! Some updates must be run alone. You will have to restart you computer after each group finishes for the updates to be applied, though annoying, it is best to do the restarts as recommended. You will then go back to the Windows Update process as described above and continue downloading updates until you have all that would be useful for your computer system. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE DSL, COMCAST, etc. (FAST INTERNET), YOU WILL WANT TO DO THESE WHEN YOU ARE NOT IN NEED OF YOUR COMPUTER SYSTEM, BECAUSE THEY WILL TAKE SOME TIME. DSL/COMCAST, ETC., MAKES THIS PROCESS PRETTY FAST AND PAINLESS!
Quarterly – Do a disk clean up to get rid of temporary internet files and temp files. Left click START/ALL PROGRAMS/ACCESSORIES/ SYSTEM TOOLS/DISK CLEANUP. If you just clean the defaulted items you should be safe. If you choose to delete other items in the list, make sure you know what the changes will mean!
What is my COMPUTER (Specifications)? To buy anything for your computer (Software/Hardware) or to do anything on your computer, you really need to understand what you have for a computer system. With Windows, you can single left mouse click the START button and go to RUN. Type dxdiag in the box and enter - then you will need to press OK. You should get up a screen that tells you how much Memory (RAM) you have, though it will not tell you what kind of RAM - PC100, PC133, DDR 266 - 400, DDR2 400 - DDR2 1066, or DD$3. The page will also give you your CPU or Processor info. To figure out your Video info, single left mouse click on the DISPLAY tab. SEE HARD DRIVE INFO BELOW.
How is my HARD DRIVE doing ? – To check your Hard Drive size and available space, open MY COMPUTER, single RIGHT mouse click on the C drive (If you have more than one hard drive OR a partitioned drive, run the same process on the other drives (YOU DO NOT NEED TO RUN ON CDs, DVDs, or CD-RW DRIVES). A pie chart will come up and the total number of GB will be shown for USED, FREE and TOTAL CAPACITY. Remember you always have to have a some room in your C drive for the hard drive to function. Think of your hard drive like filing cabinets, that have to open drawers, pull files, put them back and close drawers!). When things get stored in your computer, they automatically default to the C drive, so that is the most important drive as far as free space.
Deleting Programs or finding space on your Hard Drive/Computer – If you want to delete a program or you are in need of finding space on your hard drive, go to Control Panel. You will find an icon for Add/Remove Programs. Look through the list and see if there are things that you really don’t want or need on your computer. THE RULE IS: YOU MUST KNOW WHAT SOMETHING IS OR DOES BEFORE YOU REMOVE IT! If you don’t know, LEAVE IT ALONE! If you do find something to remove, single left click the Add/Remove button and follow the instructions. Removing icons on your desktop (USUALLY) does not remove the program and is not the BEST way even when it actually does remove the program, because fragments can remain on your system, which may cause problems. Removing programs from C is also not the BEST way to remove programs, but if the program does not show up in the Add/Remove Programs area, it may be the only way to delete any remaining items – BE CAREFUL! Icons on the desktop, with arrows in the bottom left corner, can be removed without actually removing the programs or causing any problems, they are shortcuts ONLY.
Finding LARGE files, which you may want to delete: Single left mouse click START, go to FIND - Files or Folders, on the 1st Tab, make sure that the LOOK IN, is pointed to (C:), then under the ADVANCED Tab, go to SIZE, you can put in whatever you want, (e.g. AT LEAST - 250000 (EQUALS 250mb)). You may want to change the VIEW of the information, so that you can see greater DETAIL. FOLLOW THE SAME RULE FOR DELETING FILES AS NOTED ABOVE!!!
Backing Up Data / Having Restore Capability (It is also wise to back up important data before you add new software to your computer, just in case anything goes wrong!) - Though it seems some people restore their systems to original configuration almost monthly, for many, the data on their computer is EXTREMELY important. If you have important pictures, business records, music, investment records, documents, etc., stored on your computer, you are in critical need of backing up your data. Though this was at one time possibly more difficult, with CD-RWs or DVD-RWs being standard in all current systems, backing up is extremely easy. Without backup, when your computer suffers a hard drive failure or massive data disruption, you loose everything. Without original Restore disks (Operating System (e.g. Windows) software drivers for sound, modem, video, etc.) either provided by original manufacturer or made by you when you first set your system up, repairs will take longer and be more costly. Make at least 2 copies of anything that is really important to you!
PURCHASES
Purchasing Hardware / Software for your computer – When you want to purchase items for your computer, make sure that you look for system requirements. Software will normally tell you what Operating System (like Windows) you need and how much RAM (Memory) you should have. It is best to have the SUGGESTED number, but you MAY be able to get by with the recommended amount. Software will probably indicate needed Hard Drive space, Video needs, if they are important, etc. Hardware can also have limitations and will give you that information. TAKE YOUR COMPUTER SPECIFICATIONS WITH YOU WHEN YOU SHOP! See "What Is My COMPUTER" for more help!
Purchasing A Computer – There are lots of computers out there and some of them are very INEXPENSIVE! It is important to understand that one computer will not fit every need. Some computers are very limited in their capability, good for only: E-mailing, Word Processing, Internet, etc., but are not the best for CAD, Resource Intensive Software like Accounting packages, and High Action Game Software, though children's software will likely run fine. Many name brand Systems are sold with marginal RAM! The two major producers of CPUs are Intel and AMD. Our personal preference is AMD CPUs. They have been around for many years, though they have been available in Computer Chain Stores for far less years. Through the years, AMD has benchmarked in most cases equal to or better than Intel CPUs. We don't currently sell any new computer with less than 1gb of RAM. MS Windows Vista requires 2gb of RAM to run as it was designed to!! Most new computers are being sold with: Dual-Core and Quad-Core Processors or better (get as much MHz as you can reasonable afford - remember it is the motherboard that determines the overall quality of your system - It is important to know how RAM can be expanded (Maximum Amount); 250gb - 500gb+ of Hard Drive space is pretty standard, more may be necessary for certain needs, like large music, video, etc; and special Video and/or Sound specifications may be needed for high-end gaming and/or professional music production needs. It may be desirable to have a additional hardware warranty on things like computers, scanners, printers, etc, though one year is pretty much standard. When scanners and printers fail, they are usually done for, so consider the cost of having a 3 yr warranty, compared to buying a replacement product. Though sometimes name brand computers are less expensive, they are sometimes more costly or less repairable than the thousands of generic computers that use off-the-shelf products for repairs. It is possible that your name brand computer will not allow a standard motherboard to replace a failed motherboard, or that your Operating System (Windows) and/or other software, may be keyed to the Manufacturers Bios, and therefore will not work with other motherboards. In these cases, essentially you don't own your Operating System and software, for it only works as long as your original hardware. It has become a common practice in name brand computers to not provide ANY restore disks or software, but require the new, and often novice users, to make restore disks, which they seldom do. This causes serious difficulties when a hard drive failure occurs and no restore disks exist. Though many of the name brand computers claim to come with 24/7 computer support, most of the time you are talking to someone from India, etc., that are reading from scripts and are not specific Techs. These are things to consider before you purchase your computer! Please feel free to CALL WITH QUESTIONS!
